The Vatican Information Service is a news service, founded in the Holy See Press Office, that provides information about the Magisterium and the pastoral activities of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia...[+]

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2004 (VIS) - Twenty-five members of the Italian banking group Capitalia were welcomed to Castelgandolfo this morning by the Pope who told them "your presence in society can become an instrument of true progress, offering support for valid initiatives of individuals and groups who come to you for their legitimate financial and economic needs."

"The complex world of credit," said the Holy Father, "calls for reflection by the Church because of the many ethical implications that regard it. It would in fact be decidedly inadequate to limit oneself to pursuing only maximum profit; it is necessary, rather, to always refer to the higher values of human living if one wants to help the true growth and full development of the community. In this regard, the great Catholic economist Giuseppe Toniolo observed that Christian morality must be considered 'as the most powerful factor in awakening economic energy in peoples and in guaranteeing its most regular and efficacious relations'."

"I hope," John Paul II concluded, "that your work will always be sustained by this higher vision, so that you contribute to the well-being of all who avail themselves of your activity and, in general, of those of the entire community in which you work."AC/BANKING/CAPITALIA VIS 20040917 (220)

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2004 (VIS) - This morning at Castelgandolfo, the Pope received 130 recently-appointed bishops who participated in a meeting organized in Rome by the Congregations for Bishops and for the Oriental Churches.

The Holy Father said to the bishops of the "two traditions of the universal Church, East and West," that "with consecration, a bishop turns into teacher, priest and guide of the Christian community. Therefore, Christ, the divine Master, present in the Word of Scripture as well as in the sacrament of the Eucharist, must always be at the center of his ministry."

"My strong desire is that the Year of the Eucharist, that will begin on October 10 with the opening of the International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, will be a providential occasion to better explore the central importance of the sacrament of the Eucharist in the life and activity of every particular Church. The bonds of fraternal charity are strengthened around the altar and the awareness is enlivened in all believers of belonging to the one People of God, whom the bishops guide."

John Paul II emphasized that as bishops they have the duty "to take special care of the celebration of the Sacraments and worship in general. Defend the hope of the faithful to have a dignified celebration in which nothing is left to improvisation or chance."

"You are aware," he concluded, "that the ministry of sanctification requires the witness of a holy life. The Spirit of God, which has sanctified you through episcopal consecration, awaits your generous response daily. … In order to confirm what we teach, the witness of our life is necessary."AC/EPISCOPAL MINISTRY/… VIS 20040917 (290)